Shopping in India is inexpensive, so be prepared to pack light as you’ll most likely return with a whole new wardrobe.
Packing for India is all about keeping two ideas in mind: respect and comfort. Remember that you’ll be visiting many temples and sanctuary sites which require coverups with scarfs and temperatures may vary if your itinerary involves outdoor activities in the Himalayas or hanging out on the beaches of Goa (bikinis are only allowed on beaches.)
Here’s a list of must-pack items for every season:
- 1-2 scarfs for entering temples.
- Raincoat & umbrella: prep for spontaneous rain
- For walking all day: 1 pair of sneakers (or comfortable shoes)
- 1 pair of trekking shoes for hiking and treks
- Swimwear
- Shampoo
- Soap/shower gel
- Toothpaste + toothbrush
- Razor + shaving cream
- Comb or brush
- Underwear (Ladies: bras)
- Socks
- If necessary: voltage converter (Voltage: 220 volts)
- Computer/phone chargers
- External battery
- Hard drive: if you want to backup your images
- Money
- Passport
- Sunglasses
- Camera
In addition, here’s what else you’ll need:
Spring & Autumn:
Spring in India is also known as pre-monsoon season, which lasts from April to June. Note that April and May are considered the hottest months in India with temperatures ranging from 32 – 40 °C (90–104 °F.) Fall or autumn in India starts from October through November with similar temperatures as spring but not as high.
Here are some things to pack specifically for either spring or autumn:
- Sunscreen (men & women)
- Lightweight scarfs (men & women)
- Long dresses and long skirts (women)
- 1 pair of black leggings (women)
- Jeans (men & women)
- Walkable flat shoes (men & women)
- Short-sleeve shirts (men & women)
- Layer-friendly tops (men & women)
Summer:
Summer in India, from July to September, is quite rainy but humid. Expect high temperatures ranging from 32 °C (90 °F) to 50 °C (122 °F.) Be prepared for strong, dry and hot winds that often occur during daytime. Try to stay indoors or pack lots of water and sunscreen so you don’t suffer from direct and harsh exposure from the hot winds.
Be sure to pack these items in your suitcase:
- Sunscreen (men & women)
- Hat (men & women)
- 1 pair of walkable flats (women)
- 1 pair of sandals or flip flops (men & women)
- 1-2 pairs of sneakers (men)
- 3-4 short sleeve shirts (men & women)
- 1-2 pairs of drawstring pants (men & women)
- 2-3 lightweight long dresses and/or long skirts (women)
Winter:
The coldest months in India are December and January with extreme weather in the Himalayas where you should expect snow. From December to March, average temperature range from 10 – 15 °C (50 – 59 °F.) In southern India, temperatures are higher and range from 20 – 25 °C (68 – 77 °F.)
Below is a checklist of essentials:
- 1 winter coat (men & women)
- 1 lightweight coat (men & women)
- 3-4 thick sweaters (men & women)
- Several long-sleeved shirts (men & women)
- 2 pairs of pants (men & women)
- 2 pairs of jeans (men & women)
- 1 winter hats or beanies (men & women)
- 1 pair of winter boots for trekking (men & women)
- 1 pair of gloves (men & women)
- 1-2 thick scarves (men & women)
- 1 bottle of lotion (men & women)
